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Design for skatepark in memory of bus crash victim

Plans for a skatepark in memory of Keswick bus crash victim Kieran Goulding are pushing ahead.

Artist's impression of Kie Park

The committee spearheading the campaign to build the facility in Whitehaven have this week revealed artists’ impressions of how the finished site will look.

And they hope to start building work in spring 2015, with a finishing date as early as next summer.

The 15-year-old’s mum, Tracey Nicholson, has worked tirelessly on the project since she lost her son four years ago when the school bus he was travelling home on collided with a car.

So far, Friends of Kie Park have raised around £15,000 and have secured funding for a further £25,000, with more funding applications submitted.

Tracey said: “The project is looking at the £250,000 mark. Friends of Kie Park from day one had all been about working with younger people. From the start we have had a team of young users that have come along, raised money and had their input into the design.”

Three tenders were recently sent out to companies which the committee felt would provide a quality scheme, with skatepark designers Wheelscape coming out on top.

It features iconic parts of Whitehaven’s history including links to its mining heritage as well as the harbourside Wave feature.

Stephen McDowell, committee chairman, said: “Funding applications are stating to go in with five sent off this week. The larger applications are due to be made in October and November.

“If the funding applications are successful the earliest work could realistically start would be spring 2015 with a finishing date sometime in the summer of 2015.”

Work is now focussing on pushing ahead with further funding and donations.